About

History from many angles

The Medieval Studies Institute is a center for the study of medieval cultures from the fifth to the fifteenth centuries. We provide support for study of the medieval world to students and faculty at Indiana University, and in the academy at large. Participating faculty are drawn from twenty academic departments at Indiana University.

We offer a variety of languages, including Greek, Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, and Latin. Our work is often interdisciplinary, looking at the relationships of religious, social, political, and aesthetic practices, text and objects. From poetics and folklore, to science and religious materials and figures, experienced faculty are your guide into this trip through history.

We also create opportunities for interdisciplinary conversation on campus, bringing scholars from other universities and countries to widen our dialogue and partnering with the extraordinary resources at Indiana University, such as the collections of medieval manuscripts at the Lilly Library and the Early Music Institute.

One of my favorite things about this minor was learning about medieval culture. No part of medieval life is compartmentalized; most aspects of life, whether familial, religious, academic, or social, are very interdependent. This worldview is refreshing, and I think today's postmodern world, which likes to emphasize discreteness, could learn a lot from this integrated view of life.

Amelia Berry (Art History, class of 2018)

Our students and faculty study the histories and cultures of the world between 500-1500 AD, exploring the great diversity of the past.

What we offer

Our institute administers area certificates and minors in medieval studies, coordinates an active schedule of events and colloquia open to the public, and offers research and travel support for graduate and undergraduate students. Each spring, we host Mediaevalia at the Lilly Library, which focuses on a medieval topic and draws participants from around the world. We also host an annual spring symposium, which brings together faculty and graduate students from within and outside the university to present papers on a topic in medieval studies.

In addition to the interdisciplinary and archival courses offered by our institute, a full schedule of medieval courses is offered in other participating academic departments. Approximately 65 medieval courses are offered here each year, not including the many courses in language instruction and independent research that student medievalists frequently take. Many students participate in medieval studies at IU without enrolling in our formal degree programs, either by taking courses or attending some of the institute's many activities.